Universal stokes Africa fire

Africa is believed to have the potential to be the greatest continent in the world.

And with its vast human and material resources, it’s believed it’s only a matter of time before it will achieve that potential.

Maybe in anticipation of that time when Africa’s sun rises highest in the world, Universal Music Group has rejigged its Africa operation significantly in what can only be termed as it already seeing greatness hovering in Africa’s horizon.

To this end, it has promoted Sipho Dlamini to CEO, Universal Music South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa; made Elouise Kelly the COO, Universal Music South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa; and captured Chinedu Okeke as the MD, Universal Music Nigeria.

Dlamini, who joined UMG in 2016, will continue to oversee all of its operations within English-speaking Africa. He has been instrumental in solidifying and growing UMG’s African infrastructure, increasing the visibility of African music around the world and delivering unprecedented artist success in South Africa.

He’s a member of UMG’s Task Force for Meaningful Change (TFMC) which was created last year as a driving force for inclusion and social justice within the global music industry and serves as chair for the TFMC’s Global Committee.

In 2019, he was named in Billboard’s International Music Power list, the first Africa-based executive to make the list.

In his new role, he will continue to work closely with Adam Granite, EVP, Market Development, UMG to identify further opportunities for artists signed to Universal Music Africa to reach new audiences around the world, utilizing UMG’s unrivalled global network of industry-leading businesses spanning more than 60 countries worldwide.

While Dlamini has been in the Universal system and was elevated further, Kelly just joined from global advertising and media agency Ogilvy where she was the South Africa managing director.

With a proven and award-winning background in branding, marketing, communication and commercial business strategy, she will play an integral role in the further expansion of Universal Music Africa and its operations and label divisions and she will be based in Johannesburg.

Prior to working at Ogilvy, she held senior positions at SABC, Top TV, Viacom International Media Networks and M-Net.

In his case, Okeke, who will lead the development and expansion of UMG’s existing operations within Nigeria and further English-speaking markets in West Africa, will be based in Lagos and will report to Dlamini just like Kelly.

Okeke joins UMG having established himself over the last decade as a successful business and live-music entrepreneur.

He’s the founder of Eclipse Live, a live entertainment company focused on bringing live affordable entertainment to the youth of Africa, and Eclipse Brand Agency, working with major clients, artists and commercial partners.

He’s also the founder and executive producer of Nigeria’s legendary Gidi Culture Festival and a founding trustee of Echo Music & Arts Foundation and previously held positions at The Wicklow Group, Canvest Group & AP Moeller Maersk.

Expect more action from UMG in Africa, though, as it says it will continue to grow its Africa presence.